May 18 2007
Al Reyes, Tampa Bay Devil Rays
- Why he’s in the role: Mike Gonzalez was traded to the Braves in January.
- Why he’s worth a look: Having 12 saves for the Devil Rays deserves some kind of medal. He has a 1.45 ERA and is averaging more than a strikeout per inning.
- Why he’s not: Reyes is 37, coming off Tommy John ligament transplant surgery, and he plays for a young team that typically struggles in the rugged AL East.
Brett Myers. Philadelphia Phillies
- Why he’s in the role: Tom Gordon went on the disabled list, and the Phillies had no better option.
- Why he’s worth a look: It’s perplexing to make your best starter a closer, so don’t consider this a career change. Myers has done a nice job even though he’d never pitched in relief before, converting 4 of 5 save chances. (He’s probably on somebody’s roster in your league as a starter, however. Maybe a trade could be worked out if the owner has a glut of closers.)
- Why he’s not: Gordon could get another shot at the job when he returns in late May/early June, or if Myers’ arm doesn’t hold up as a closer.
Francisco Cordero, Milwaukee Brewers
- Why he’s in the role: Mike Gonzalez was traded to the Braves in January.
- Why he’s worth a look: He has 15 saves and a 0.54 ERA and works in the back of a bullpen that’s one of the best in baseball.
- Why he’s not: The Brewers are using Cordero a lot (he pitched for six consecutive days at one point), and his track record indicates he can’t keep this up. After all, he lost the job in Texas last year.
Jose Valverde, Arizona Diamondbacks
- Why he’s in the role: The Diamondbacks traded Jorge Julio to the Florida Marlins in the spring.
- Why he’s worth a look: He has 13 saves, which is second-most in the majors as of May 16.
- Why he’s not: He’s prone to walks, and he’s been down this road before. He was the Diamondbacks’ closer early in 2006 before losing his job and getting demoted to Class AAA. Tony A. Pena is considered the team’s closer of the future if Valverde begins to struggle.
Dan Wheeler, Houston Astros
- Why he’s in the role: Brad Lidge struggled, and Wheeler was waiting in the wings.
- Why he’s worth a look: Seven saves in seven opportunities, and he doesn’t walk many hitters.
- Why he’s not: The Astros aren’t winning enough to give him chances.
